"I had two years left on my contract at Tottenham,” Dempsey told the Evening Standard. "To be honest with you, going back to pre-season, I thought I would be there [this season] but I guess it was just timing.

"The right situation came along. The MLS and the Seattle Sounders moved mountains to get me back and I wanted to come back when I could still do it. I didn’t want to come back when I was past it because I wanted to make an impact.

"I don’t know what my effect will be so we will just have to wait and see. I am looking forward to getting back and playing more of the style of football I fell in love with - the South American style, being more creative on the ball and having that little bit more freedom to try things."